Plans for Hopkins Homes headquarters win planning approval from West Suffolk Council

A major housebuilder is poised to move its operations to Suffolk Business Park after plans for a new headquarters won approval.

Hopkins Homes, which employs more than 200 people, will move from Melton, near Woodbridge, to a new site off Woodlands Road and Sow Lane, after West Suffolk Council’s development control committee gave the green light on Wednesday.

Hopkins hopes the location of the new headquarters, close to junction 45 of the A14, will allow it to be more strategically placed to enable future growth.

The new 2,201sqm building includes 125 car parking spaces, at least electric vehicle charging points, showers, lockers and changing facilities for staff, a cycle store and landscaping.

Simon Bryan, Hopkins’ head of development, said at the meeting: “If members are minded to approve, this would be a major landmark in our business.”

Cllr Sara Mildmay-White, representing Rougham and Rushbrooke Parish Council, asked whether a contribution could be made towards bus travel in the area, in the light of bus subsidy cuts in 2019.

Other district councillors also questioned sustainable transport and whether more electric vehicle charging points could be installed.

The plans were approved with 15 votes in favour and one abstention.

Hopkins builds more than 1,000 homes a year in Suffolk, Norfolk, Cambridgeshire and Essex.